I launched MediaStorm in 2005 with the deep belief that audiences around the world could and would discern quality content when they saw it. I wasn’t after money – there are much better ways to make money – I was interested in telling stories that mattered, ones that could make a difference in the world. (Brian Storm, in Mediastorm.com)The journalism industry is not in despair, it’s simply going through a redefinition. I feel like we’re living in such an epic moment, a transformational moment. Think about the big stories happening right now: climate change, new president, and an economy that is totally falling apart, and as journalists, these are big stories. It’s a great journalistic moment to be in this business. The big opportunity is that the tools are so powerful that anyone can create high production value content and distribute it globally. I don’t need to own a printing press or a television station, but I can be on television through new distribution devices like Apple TV or TiVo. It’s an absolutely revolutionary moment, and I feel incredibly empowered as a journalist. (Brian Storm, NIEMAN REPORTS, 2009)
I believe journalism will evolve into at least three camps. The first are those who continue to work in what can be called the mainstream, in large institutions like MSNBC, The New York Times and Reuters. The second group has been somewhat dismissively referred to as The Crowd. The Crowd is basically anyone who has access to the tools of the craft, whether it be a blog or a still camera and a portable recording device. As we know these tools are becoming increasingly more affordable and therefore more saturated within the public. I believe more voices and a greater diversity will raise the level of public discourse and as we’ve already seen from the blogosphere, can ultimately strengthen our democracy. This makes lots of journalists frightened but it gets me excited because the competition that will inevitably result invites all of us to become better at what we do. The third group is what I call small independent garage bands. These are groups of professional journalists who collaborate to practice their craft with quality as a focus. They are empowered by the same tools as The Crowd and can distribute globally just like the mainstream. The big difference is that they are answering to their audience, not their shareholders. I expect all three of these groups will exist and create worthy journalism and I’m certain there will be new efforts that surprise and inspire us all as the game continues to change. (Brian Storm, WEMEDIA, 2009)
MediaStorm is like a garage band. We work at home in our socks, but we have distribution all over the world across a variety of platforms. (Brian Storm, RJIONLINE, 2008)